Canada Joins Eurovision Song Contest as Full EBU Member, Debuts in 2027

Canada has officially joined the Eurovision Song Contest after becoming a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization responsible for the competition. The announcement came following a vote at the EBU's general assembly in Prague, granting Canada eligibility to participate starting in 2027. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney proposed joining Eurovision as part of the 2025 national budget to strengthen Canada's economic and political ties with Europe.

Although Canada did not participate in this year's contest held in Vienna, the country showed significant enthusiasm by actively engaging in the "Rest of the World" voting segment and ranking among the largest ticket purchasers outside Europe. Over Eurovision's 70-year history, several Canadian artists have competed representing other countries, most notably Celine Dion, who won for Switzerland in 1988, and Sherisse Laurence, who placed third for Luxembourg in 1986.

Canada plans to announce its selection process for its first Eurovision representative later this year. Canada will become the third non-European country to compete regularly, following Israel, which joined in 1973, and Australia, which debuted in 2015. Both Israel and Australia performed strongly in the recent contest, finishing second and fourth respectively, behind Bulgaria's winner Dara with the song "Banga Ranga."